Recently, we were fortunate to be present when Jean brought an immature
Marsh Harrier in to be released on the NNR after weeks of successful rehabilitation. Not
only did it go off superbly, but it has since settled in the valley with the
other Marsh Harriers present. However, what is even more remarkable is the story around this bird – found shot in North Yorkshire, with its main wing
bone shattered in two places and the shot still lodged in the break. Unfortunately,
North Yorkshire has a terrible record of bird of prey persecution, but thanks
to the expertise of Mark Naguib at Battle Flatts Vets, followed by four weeks
of expert care with Jean, this bird remarkably healed and regained the power
of flight. It obviously couldn’t be released back to where it was found
(to risk a similar fate), and so the decision was made to release it in the LDV
where it would be safe from persecution and in prime feeding territory to help
with its ongoing recovery.
Over the last few weeks we’ve been able to watch it
hunting and flying around the reserve, and going into roost with two or three other
birds during the evenings – providing pleasure to a number of local and
visiting birdwatchers, who have been able to watch and photograph this bird,
which weeks earlier would have been condemned to a slow and painful death if it
hadn’t been found in time. A huge well done to Mark and Jean
for their amazing work and tireless efforts.
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